Broadcast company, former meteorologist come to terms

By RYAN MILLER AND AMY ASMAN

Former KCOY/KKFX meteorologist Jim Byrne said he had reached an agreement with Cowles California Media Company, which he sued earlier this year, claiming officials breached his contract when they terminated his position at the broadcast news station in January.

Byrne said he was bound by the terms of the early-October agreement, which stipulated that he not speak about any details.

So what can he say?

“We came to an agreement, and that’s pretty much it,” he said.

A representative from KCOY hadn’t responded to a request for comment as of press time.

According to documents filed on April 25 in Santa Barbara County Superior Court, Byrne entered a four-year contract with Cowles in October 2008. On January 12, 2012, the company terminated the contract “without cause” and refused to pay him the balance of his wages and benefits.

Byrne claimed he had suffered monetary damages and sought compensation with interest.

On June 6, legal representation for Cowles filed a countersuit denying “each and every allegation of the Complaint” and asked that it be dismissed. The company also sought reimbursement for the cost of the suit, including attorney’s fees.